Distribution system and method of operation thereof
First Claim
1. A system for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, comprising:
- encapsulating means operable to encapsulate a digitally distributable work with predetermined conditions of use to create an encapsulated work having an enabled state in which the digitally distributable work is unconditionally enabled for use, a disabled state in which the digitally distributable work is conditionally disabled for use, and a trial state in which the digitally distributable work is conditionally enabled for use for a predetermined trial period;
distribution means for transferring the encapsulated work from a transferor in possession thereof, to a transferee, and for transferring the encapsulated work from the transferee to a subsequent transferee; and
switching means operable to switch the encapsulated work in the trial state to be in the enabled state when the predetermined conditions of use are complied with by the transferee and to switch the encapsulated work from the enabled state to the trial state when the encapsulated work is thereafter transferred from the transferee to the subsequent transferee, wherein the predetermined conditions of use include at least one of (i) the transferee registering as an authorized purchaser of the digitally distributable work and (ii) the transferee paying a licence fee for a licence to use the digitally distributable work.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, comprises an encapsulation facility operable to encapsulate a digitally distributable work with predetermined conditions of use to create an encapsulated work, and distribution means for distributing the encapsulated work from a transferor in possession thereof, to a transferee. The encapsulated work has a state which is alterable between an enabled state in which the digitally distributable work is unconditionally enabled for use, and a disabled state in which the digitally distributable work is disabled for use. The system also has a switching means operable to switch the state of the encapsulated work to be in the disabled state upon transfer of the digitally distributable work form the transferor to a transferee, and to be in the enabled state when the predetermined conditions of use are complied with by the transferee. An administration facility stores distribution data relating to a distribution chain of the digitally distributable work and distributes a portion of a predetermined purchase price paid by the transferee for the digitally distributable work to a number of the preceding transferors in the distribution chain.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, comprising:
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encapsulating means operable to encapsulate a digitally distributable work with predetermined conditions of use to create an encapsulated work having an enabled state in which the digitally distributable work is unconditionally enabled for use, a disabled state in which the digitally distributable work is conditionally disabled for use, and a trial state in which the digitally distributable work is conditionally enabled for use for a predetermined trial period; distribution means for transferring the encapsulated work from a transferor in possession thereof, to a transferee, and for transferring the encapsulated work from the transferee to a subsequent transferee; and switching means operable to switch the encapsulated work in the trial state to be in the enabled state when the predetermined conditions of use are complied with by the transferee and to switch the encapsulated work from the enabled state to the trial state when the encapsulated work is thereafter transferred from the transferee to the subsequent transferee, wherein the predetermined conditions of use include at least one of (i) the transferee registering as an authorized purchaser of the digitally distributable work and (ii) the transferee paying a licence fee for a licence to use the digitally distributable work. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, comprising the steps of:
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encapsulating a digitally distributable work with predetermined conditions of use to create an encapsulated work having an enabled state in which the digitally distributable work is unconditionally enabled for use, a disabled state in which the digitally distributable work is conditionally disabled for use, and a trial state in which the digitally distributable work is conditionally enabled for use for a predetermined trial period; transferring the encapsulated work from a transferor in possession thereof, to a transferee, and from the transferee to a subsequent transferee; and switching the encapsulated work from the trial state to the enabled state when the predetermined conditions of use are complied with by the transferee, and from the enabled state to the trial state when the encapsulated work is thereafter transferred from the transferee to the subsequent transferee, wherein the predetermined conditions of use include at least one of (i) the transferee registering as an authorized purchaser of the digitally distributable work and (ii) the transferee paying a licence fee for a licence to use the digitally distributable work. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification